Distractions pose a significant risk when it comes to road accidents, as even a momentary loss of attention can have devastating consequences when driving at high speeds. In this article, we will explore two applications and a native system provided by Apple that are designed to help us maintain focus during long journeys.
Overcast
One of the applications we will explore is developed by Marco Arment and is available for iOS and other platforms. It has gained immense popularity among users due to its clean design, intuitive user interface, and a range of features that make it highly recommended for maintaining focus during a long journey.
- Apple Watch Integration: If you own an Apple Watch, this application allows you to control content playback directly from your wrist. This feature proves to be useful while driving, as you can easily manage your podcasts without having to interact with your phone.
- Custom Playlist Creation: With this application, you have the flexibility to create custom podcast playlists. This enables you to organize your favorite podcasts in a way that suits your preferences. By doing so, you can seamlessly listen to episodes without the need to constantly check your phone.
- Voice Boost: The application offers a voice boost feature that normalizes the volume of podcasts. This is particularly beneficial when listening to podcasts with varying volume levels. It ensures that you don’t experience abrupt volume changes, eliminating noise clippings during certain moments and excessively high volume during others.
LifeSaver
Live Saber is an application specifically designed to address the issue of distractions caused by mobile phones while driving. It offers customizable options for managing incoming messages and calls, ensuring a safer and more focused driving experience. Let’s explore some of its key features:
- Phone Lock on the Go: With Live Saber, the application detects when you’re driving and automatically locks your phone, preventing any distractions that may divert your attention from the road. This proactive feature eliminates external factors that could potentially cause distractions during your journey.
- Arrival Alerts and Driver Tracking: This feature proves to be highly beneficial for parents and loved ones. When your children reach their destination, you receive a notification from the app, providing you with peace of mind. Additionally, Live Saber enables driver tracking, allowing parents to monitor their children’s driving habits and ensure their safety.
- Reporting Dashboard: The application offers a reporting dashboard that allows you to customize your settings according to your preferences. You can block all notifications, establish default functions, and configure emergency calls and alerts in case of accidents. This comprehensive dashboard empowers you to tailor the app to suit your specific needs while promoting a distraction-free driving environment.
The iPhone itself and its Do Not Disturb mode
Apple provides an effective solution to prevent accidents caused by distractions with its native feature called Do Not Disturb mode. This feature is designed to mitigate distractions while driving by offering various functions that prioritize safety. Let’s explore the capabilities of Do Not Disturb mode:
- Activation: You can activate the Do Not Disturb mode through your device’s Settings menu. Within the settings, you have the option to enable it based on vehicle detection, Bluetooth connectivity with your car, or manually activating it yourself.
- Automatic Message Responses: Within the settings, you can configure automatic message responses. This feature allows you to set predefined responses to incoming messages. You can choose whether these responses are sent to everyone, only your recent contacts, or everyone except your favorites. Although this function is currently limited to the Messages app, you can also achieve similar automatic responses in apps like WhatsApp and Telegram by utilizing Siri.
- Apple Watch Integration: If you own an Apple Watch, you can conveniently receive notifications on your wrist. This integration ensures that you can access important information without diverting your attention from the road.
With Do Not Disturb mode, Apple offers a comprehensive solution to minimize distractions while driving, prioritizing your safety and reducing the risk of accidents.
